Winter Seasonal Guide
Seasons come with their own rhythm, and so do we - you may feel how your internal seasons naturally shift. As the days become short and cold, the air crispier, here in Battersea Reach, Wandsworth, I can’t help but notice how nature goes quiet and my internal season adapts to it, too. It often happens that we feel the urge to rest more, to stay inwards, but also go inwards into reflection and introspection.
While observing the dark, cold, wet, inert, and earthy qualities of mid to late winter at this time of the year governed by the elements of Earth and Water, we can intuitively adjust our Yoga practice and daily tiny habits to live our winter life in harmony.
In Ayurveda, every season is governed by some elements, usually a combination of the two. This time of the year carries characteristics of Earth and Water, in Ayurveda called the Kapha dosha - the constitution that has certain qualities. Here are some ideas to adjust your internal constitution to the outward nature at this time of the year.
Rest
The increased hours of darkness naturally ask us to snuggle under the blanket and sleep a little longer. Snooze that alarm off in the morning and stay in a little longer if you can. Go to bed earlier than usual and get some extra sleeping time. Don’t resist the opportunity for a nap when you can afford it.
Movement
Even though rest is essential at this time of the year, Kapha has the tendency to lead to inertia. Make sure to layer up and take a few outdoor breaks, walk in the cold winter air, and bask in the stillness and quiet of nature as it goes to hibernation.
Yoga asana
When talking about the Yoga practice, we want to follow the principle of “like attract like, opposites bring balance”. Balance the coldness of winter with warming flow and poses. But still, the flow should be mindful, the transitions between poses and the vinyasa slow to squeeze all the core juice from it. Avoid using momentum, and emphasize the deep core strength during movement. Choose asana (postures) which warm up big groups of muscle, like Uttkatasana (Chair pose), Uttkatakonasana (Goddess stance), Warriors, and hold poses which require a lot of core strength, like all variations of planks. We at SOMA Wandsworth Yoga make sure to align our winter Yoga classes with the nature around and within us.
Self-care
Enjoy your daily self-massage with warming oils, like sesame oil. You don’t need any specific guidance - as long as you have a generous amount of massage oil and rub your skin from head to toe, you’re good to go. Ideally, make sure to stay cozy and warm afterward.
Introspection
It’s the time of the year to stay in, slow down, and read that book that is waiting for you for months on your bookshelf. Daydream about your plans and ideas, reconsider your plans, and align them from a place of calm and groundedness.
Routine
And finally, make sure to have a structure. Keep your calendar active - book your self-care and rest times, but also make sure that there is a certain routine and order for your daily rituals and obligations. This will set you up for a balancing, harmonizing winter season.
Come by the river in Battersea Reach to flow with us, and stay balanced during these cold months! Find classes that fit your schedule, and leave the rest to us.